People everywhere have a large amount of personal information floating around on the internet. No matter how safe we are with passwords and online shopping, a data breach can happen to anyone.
Data breaches are just as possible for businesses on Long Island as they are for individuals. However, cyber attacks on businesses can potentially compromise millions of peoples vital information.
It’s important that businesses follow certain steps to keep themselves and their customers safe from data breaches. No matter what type of business you’re in, it’s essential that you secure your digital information.
Here are 4 Ways to Keep Your Business Safe from Data Breaches:
1) Implement strong perimeter controls.
Before you can start protecting against a cyber attack, you need to make sure that the perimeter of your business is secure. Every business should have a clear-cut firewall and anti-virus program in place. Both of which need to have regular updates.
Additionally, business owners must make their employees aware of how to keep sensitive information safe when at work. Employees should understand that anything they share on their personal devices could potentially give away company secrets. Also, they need to be acutely aware of phishing scams or any other email-based cyber attacks which aim to gain access to their employer’s network.
2) Ensure all vulnerabilities are patched by regularly updating your operating system and applications.
If vulnerabilities exist in your software, hackers can exploit those flaws and gain access to your network. Many hackers will look for the least protected system as they seek ways into a business’s network.
Furthermore, companies that do not keep softwares up to date are prime targets for cyber attacks. This is due to the fact that it enables hackers to take advantage of known vulnerabilities that aren’t fixed yet.
3) Ensure that employees understand what best practices are when using their mobile devices.
Mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets have become a major part of our everyday lives. It is convenient to work from anywhere, however it can also leave these devices open for hackers.
This type of security breach has been called BYOD (Bring Your Own Device). Basically, the data accessible on these devices is just as valuable as data that would be accessed at an office computer. This includes everything from personal information such as passwords, photos and documents. More importantly, it also includes business information such as notes taken in meetings or sales presentations.
Employees should always be aware of what they are doing with their mobile device, especially outside the workplace. For instance: only download apps from trusted sources such as the Apple App Store or Google Play.
4) Conduct thorough security audits on an ongoing basis that include vulnerability testing and penetration testing.
A dedicated IT company like CST will assess your IT operations and monitor it for vulnerabilities. This includes managing security metrics like virus protection and firewall configuration.
As technology evolves, so do the threats to your data and system security. By partnering with a dedicated IT company, you can stay ahead of the curve and avoid the nightmare of a data breach. An IT provider will create a personalized support and data protection plan including cyberattack prevention, detection, and response.
Data Breaches: Avoiding the Nightmare
Do you need help preparing for or responding to a cyber security incident? Contact CST to learn how we can proactively protect your business from threats and proactively respond in the event of an attack.
A data breach can put your company out of business. Planning with a proactive approach will help you protect your clients’ data as well as your own.